A Joyful Noise June 2025

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Senior Warden Message

Tom Young, Senior Warden

  Tom Young

What on Earth is Zimzum?

We keep hearing about zimzum, but what is it really? A Chinese delicacy? A Turkish taxi? The Swahili word for “kumquat”? Those are good guesses (and weird), but they are wayyy off.

Actually, the word “Zimzum” is Hebrew for “withdrawal,” “retreat,” or “limitation.” A 16th-century Jewish mystic named Isaac Luria came up with the term. He suggested that God, in order to create the universe, had to withdraw or limit his infinite presence, creating space for the finite, physical world to exist. I wonder what Carl Sagan or Neil DeGrasse Tyson would think of that idea?

Zimzum is also a spiritual practice, a way to foster spiritual growth and discipleship - something we could all use on this path we walk. Our Bishop Phil LaBelle has created a whole program on what he calls Zimzum Discipleship. On May 19, Reverend Courtney Jones introduced the program to a gathering in the parish hall. She showed Bishop Labelle’s introductory video, available here along with more info.

Small groups are the best way to watch the videos and discuss them with one another. Phil’s web page even has outlines and easy-to-use materials for small groups. This is a great opportunity to enhance our existing groups with Zimzum (the Men’s Group has already started), or form new groups that yearn for more spiritual and personal connection. One idea that was suggested: monthly Zimzum potlucks!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

Thank You

Christ Church Family,
Thank you for all your support, love, and care over the past few months. You are the best. Thanks for all your help making John’s Celebration of Life so special.
Blessings & Love,
Mary Basile-Filler

Thank you for holding my dad and Mary in your hearts and prayers. It’s comforting to know they both had/have your support.
Love,
Cindy Filler

Congratulations to Siriana!

Congratulations to Siriana Simonsen, who graduates from High School this month.

Siriana invites her Christ Church family to join her for a Graduation Party at her home. Please stop by for an Open House on Saturday, June 14, anytime between Noon and 8pm.

The Day of Pentecost

Sunday, June 8
We will celebrate Holy Eucharist with Rev. Courtney at 10:30 am and then continue the celebration with a festive Coffee Hour.
Remember to wear red for our Annual Church Photo!

Dinner at the Brick

Christ Church will host Dinner at the Brick on June 8, led by Stephanie Galbraith & Dan Moore.

Dan & Stephanie

Dinner at the Brick, a program of Westminster Presbyterian Church, offers a free dinner to the community each Sunday at 4:30 pm.

Volunteers are needed to help with several jobs, including shopping, cooking, serving, setting up, and cleaning up. To volunteer, please contact Stephanie at sdgalbraith1963@gmail.com or Dan at dam1966@mac.com.

Father’s Day Coffee Hour Presentation:
Old Friends Club

The Rev. Eric Johnson

Sunday, June 15
12:15 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Presenter: Cecily Kaplan, Affiliate Development Manager, Old Friends Club

The Rev. Eric
Johnson

The Old Friends Club is a daytime respite program—which we could offer at the Christ Church Parish Hall— that offers individuals with dementia a place of friendship and engaging activities, while providing reliable breaks for their care partners. This is not necessarily a full-time effort; the Camano Center, for example, offers this program twice per week.

Being an affiliate of the Old Friends Club could be a simple means of meeting a need that was previously fulfilled by the Skagit Adult Day Program (SADP) and the Gentry House. We had hoped that the Gentry House could be reopened, but there was an impasse between SADP (who wanted to buy the property outright) and the Diocesan Staff (which was willing to lease the property but was unwilling to sell a property that could be considered a long-term investment in the future).

The Old Friends Club (OFC) provides its affiliates with a Toolkit with comprehensive guidance on starting and sustaining a program. They also offer ongoing support, training, and networking. The OFC does not charge an affiliate to set up a program.

Other Old Friend Clubs in the area include the Presbyterian Church on Mercer Island, the Presbyterian Church on Vashon Island, and the Camano Senior Center.

Find more information at OldFriendsClub.org

June Designated Plate Offering

Our loose plate offering on June 15 is designated for Days for Girls.

Days for Girls provides holistic menstrual health education, increases access to menstrual products, trains Social Entrepreneurs and advances global menstrual equity through partnerships with governments and health coalitions. More than 500 million women, girls and menstruators worldwide suffer Period Poverty—having to miss school or work because of menstrual taboos and myths and lack of access to proper menstrual supplies.

Days for Girls began in 2008 and has now reached 3 million menstruators in over 140 countries with sustainable, affordable solutions and holistic education.  Days for Girls plans to reach 5 million this year.  It is an award-winning global NGO.

Learn more at Days for Girls.

Donations by check should be made to Christ Church with Days for Girls in the memo line. Thank you!

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

The Bishop’s Committee will meet on Monday, June 16.
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Parish Hall Gathering Room & Zoom.
All are welcome to attend.

Youth Group

Youth Group will end the year with a trip to the Bellingham Bells Baseball Game!
Friday, June 20
Joe Martin Field, Bellingham
Please meet at Christ Church at 5pm to carpool to the game. We will return to the church at approximately 9pm.
For more information, please contact Melissa Simonsen at mvsimonsen@gmail.com, 360-797-2511.

Anacortes Pride Parade 2025

Saturday, June 21
11am
Downtown Anacortes
The parade will culminate in a festive celebration at Causland Park until 3pm.

Christ Church is once again a sponsor of the parade.

Please meet at the church at 9am to decorate June Cook’s truck. Line-up for the parade begins at 10am at Third Street & Commercial.

Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge at collingemargaret72@gmail.com.

Amnesty International Petition for June

The Rev. Eric Johnson

Amnesty International asks us to write on behalf of gay make-up artist Andry José Hernández Romero, who asked for asylum in the U.S.A. but was expelled to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.

There was no court order authorizing his removal. No notification of his attorney. No hearing to contest allegations against him. No due process. Two hundred and sixty others were also illegally sent to CECOT, a notorious prison known for its brutal conditions. Our government violated a court order when Andry and others were flown to El Salvador.

We will have a petition available to sign on the first Sunday of June that calls upon the Secretary of Homeland Security to return Andry and all others, to ensure that they can continue their immigration proceedings in the U.S.

Wednesday Prayer Services

Maggie Collinge

Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
1:15 - 1:45 pm
All are welcome at this short, simple service: a scripture reading, 20 minutes of silence, an intercessory prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer.  Questions? Please contact Maggie Collinge, 360 202-5588.

Evening Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays
6:00 - 6:30 pm
All are welcome.

Men’s Group

The Men’s Group meets weekly on Fridays.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Parish Hall Gathering Room
Questions? Please contact The Rev. Eric Johnson.
All are welcome.

Red Door Thrift Shop

*The Red Door Thrift Shop has a new phone number: 360-202-9966.*

Christ Church’s Red Door Thrift Shop is located at 1019 Seventh Street in Anacortes.
360-202-9966, Red Door Thrift Shop

Red Door Shopping Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am – 3pm

Red Door Donation Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10am – 1pm

Profits generated at the Red Door Thrift Shop fund Christ Church’s Community Support program.
Shoppers, Volunteers, & Donations are always welcome!

Celebrations!!!

Happy Anniversary to…
…June & Alan Cook on June 19

Please send the month & date of your birthday, baptismal date, anniversary, and/or other special occasions so we can help you celebrate your blessings in the Joyful Noise.

Sunday Services

Please check your Weekly Update for each week’s Servers & Hymns.

YEAR C

1 June 2025
The Seventh Sunday of Easter:
The Sunday after Ascension Day
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
1300 O Avenue, Anacortes
Presider: John Okerman
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Readings:
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
John 17:20-26

8 June 2025
The Day of Pentecost
9:15 am Chandler’s Square Holy Eucharist
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes
Presider: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon & Homilist: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Readings
Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Acts 2:1-21
John 14:8-17, 25-27

15 June 2025
Trinity Sunday
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
Presider: June Cook
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider & Homilist: The Rev. Courtney Jones
Deacon: The Rev. Eric Johnson
Readings:
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

22 June 2025
Pentecost 2 - Proper 7
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
Presider: Maggie Collinge
10:30 am Christ Church Morning Prayer
Christ Church Sanctuary
Co-Presiders: Melissa Simonsen,
Homilist: Ed Barton
Readings:
1 Kings 19:1-15a
Psalms 42 & 43
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39

29 June 2025
Pentecost 3 - Proper 8
9:30 am Chandler’s Square Morning Prayer
Chandler’s Square Retirement Community
Presider: Creamy Wilkins-Manning
10:30 am Christ Church Holy Eucharist
Christ Church Sanctuary
Presider: The Rev. Keith Axberg
Deacon: The Rev. Vicki Johnson
Homilist: Maggie Collinge
Readings:
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62